Highfield Level 4 Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) Qualification

Highfield Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF) is intended for those who wish to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of internal quality assurance without any requirement to practice. The objective of the qualification is to support you in your IQA role in the workplace.

You will learn about the processes and procedures of  IQA including sample planning, report writing, working with Awarding Organisations and improving quality in assessment.

The Award  has 2 mandatory units which must be fully completed to gain the qualification:

• Understanding the principles and practices of internally assuring the quality of assessment
• Internally assure the quality of assessment.

When you enrol with us, you will be allocated an experienced assessor and receive a textbook (Ann Gravells, Principles and Practices of Quality Assurance: A guide for internal and external quality assurers in the FE and Skills Sector) and resources to support you with your qualification. You will then begin working on unit 1, by completing your theory assignment which is the evidence for the first unit. Your assessor will provide guidance and feedback on your written work.

For unit 2, you will collate work products, for example, IQA reports, sampling plans, meeting minutes, with the guidance of your assessor. Your assessor will also arrange an online face to face observation with you. The observation will be followed by a tutorial, allowing you to work with your assessor to complete your IQA qualification.

With the guidance and support of your assessor, you will complete of a portfolio of evidence that must cover all assessment criteria for the units which includes:

1. Theory assessment – you must complete a series of activities and  written questions during the session covering all learning outcomes to gain the qualification
2. Practical assessment-  you will be observed working with a assessor and you must provide work products to demonstrate you competence in internal quality assurance.

This ensures that Best for Training fully meets the observation requirements set by the Awarding Organisation and the Education and Training Foundation.

“All learning outcomes in this unit must be assessed using methods appropriate to the IQA trainee’s performance.”
These must include:

• observation of performance;
• examining products of work; and
•  questioning.

Direct evidence of this kind may be supplemented, where necessary, by professional discussion, reflective accounts or witness testimony. Simulations are not allowed. Remote observation is not acceptable for assessment of IQAs; in other words, the assessor and the trainee IQA must be in the same location at the same time when observations are being carried out.”

The Education & Training Foundation, Qualification Guidance, Assessment and Quality Assurance Qualifications, Page 26

The course is for 6 months from enrolment, although many learners complete earlier.

You will be allocated a named assessor who will provide you with unlimited online support throughout the qualification. You will have a face to face online induction with your assessor to plan your first steps and answer any questions you may have. Further tutorials can be arranged with your assessor, either face to face, online or via telephone, as required.

The price includes:

• Highly qualified and experienced assessor
• Course materials, including text book
• Registration, assessment and certification

There are no hidden charges with this qualification. The face to face online observation with your assessor is included in the price. This ensures that Best for Training fully meets the observation requirements set by the Awarding Organisation and the Education and Training Foundation.

On successful completion of the IQA qualification, you will  be a qualified Internal Quality Assurer and will be able to apply for IQA roles for your area of occupational competence.

If you are in a position where you are responsible for other IQAs then you may wish to consider Highfield Level 4 Leading Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. You can achieve this with Best for Training by completing the one additional unit.

Best for Training’s single unit ‘Plan, allocate and monitor work in own area of responsibility’ is designed for those who have already achieved their Level 4 Award in the IQA of Assessment Processes and Practice. This additional single unit will enable you to achieve the full qualification: Highfield Level 4 Leading Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. You must be able to evidence that you lead a team and plan, allocate and monitor work. If you provide us with evidence of Unit 1 Understanding the principles and practices of internally assuring the quality of assessment and Unit 2 Internally assure the quality of assessment, then we will be able to use as Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and claim your full  Level 4 Leading IQA certificate.

On successful completion of your IQA qualification, you may wish to consider the Highfield Level 4 Award In Understanding the External Quality Assurance (EQA) of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)  This qualification is the first unit in the full EQA qualification required by Awarding Organisation to undertake the role of a External Quality Assurer (EQA). By gaining this knowledge qualification, you will be taking the first steps towards this role. It is also excellent CPD for any IQA who want to ensure their organisation’s is fully prepare for the External Quality Assurance visits.

If you have previously completed a qualification with Best for Training, you will be entitled to 10% discount off your next course, (Terms and Conditions apply).